Causes of sin

Sin as a result of the devil’s activity

The devil’s instigation of the first sin

Genesis 3:13 NASB95

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

See also Ge 3:1–6; 2 Co 11:3; Re 12:9

The devil’s role as tempter

1 Thessalonians 3:5 NASB95

For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

See also Mt 4:1–11; Mt 6:13

The devil as the source of sinful behaviour

John 8:44 NASB95

“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

See also Jn 8:38; Jn 8:41; 1 Jn 3:8; 1 Jn 3:10

The sins of angels

2 Peter 2:4 NASB95

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;

See also Jud 6

Sin as a power in the world

Sin’s reign from the time of Adam

Romans 5:12 NASB95

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—

See also Ge 4:7; Jn 8:34; Ro 5:21; Ro 6:16

Sin uses the law to provoke sinful desires

Romans 7:5 NASB95

For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

See also Ro 7:7–12; 1 Co 15:56

The world is under sin’s dominion

1 John 2:16 NASB95

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

See also Lk 21:34; Tt 2:12

Sin is rooted in human nature

The human heart is dominated by sin

Jeremiah 17:9 NASB95

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

See also Mt 15:19; Ro 1:24; Heb 3:12

Human nature is fundamentally opposed to God

Romans 8:5–8 NASB95

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

See also Ro 7:14–25; Ga 5:17–21; Eph 2:3; 2 Pe 2:10; 2 Pe 2:18

The act of sinning

Sin results from giving in to evil desires

James 1:14–15 NASB95

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

See also Ro 13:13–14; Jas 4:1; Jud 16

Sin results from the human desire to be like God

Genesis 3:5 NASB95

“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

See also Is 14:12–14; Eze 28:2

Sin results when the body is placed at sin’s disposal

Romans 6:13 NASB95

and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

See also Mt 5:29–30; Mt 18:8–9

Sin results from the influence of others

1 Corinthians 15:33 NASB95

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

See also Ex 23:33; 1 Ki 11:3; Pr 1:10; Pr 22:24–25

The seriousness of leading others into sin

Mark 9:42 NASB95

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.

See also 1 Co 8:9–13